Sustainable Landscapes Transition Pathways

Information for Current Sustainable Landscapes Certificate Students

Effective September 1, 2019, the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate will be phased out to make way for the new Horticulture Certificate and Diploma programs. The Sustainable Landscapes Certificate will officially be discontinued December 31, 2021. 

If you have successfully completed courses within the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate prior to September 1, 2019, the following options are available to you:

Continue your studies towards the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate and apply for the certificate prior to December 31, 2021
Students Who Have Successfully Completed All Five Courses within the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate as of September 1, 2019

Apply for Your Certificate

If you have successfully completed all five required courses within the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate as of September 1, 2019, you are eligible to apply to receive your parchment and graduate with a Sustainable Landscapes Certificate. Your last date to apply is December 31, 2021.

Students Who Have Successfully Completed One to Four Sustainable Landscapes Certificate Courses as of September 1, 2019

Continue Working Towards the Sustainable Landscape Certificate

If you have successfully completed one to four Sustainable Landscapes Certificate courses as of September 1, 2019, you may continue to complete all required courses in the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate program. Upon successful completion of all six courses, you are eligible to apply to receive your parchment. Your last date to apply for the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate is December 31, 2021.

If you are unable to meet this timeline, please contact Learner Services to discuss your academic goals so that a suitable study plan can be developed.

Table 1 will help you to identify and register in the courses you need to complete the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate. The first column indicates the current required courses and the second column indicates the new required course pathway. If you have not completed the courses in the first column, look for the replacement or alternate course in the second column. 

Table 1: Sustainable Landscapes Certificate Student Pathway
Required Courses (prior to September 2019) New Student Pathway: New Courses (available after September 2019)
If you have not successfully completed the following course... ...you must register for and successfully complete the following course:
Introduction to Plant Identification Plant Identification
Arboriculture Arboriculture
The Naturalized Landscape Naturalizing and Restoring Landscapes 
An Introduction to Woodland Ecology

Choose one (1) of: 

  • Fundamentals of the Role of Plants in Urban Sustainability
  • Theory and Principles of Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Urban Horticulture
Alternative Land Use Practices for Sustainable Landscapes

Choose one (1) of: 

  • Fundamentals of the Role of Plants in Urban Sustainability
  • Theory and Principles of Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Urban Horticulture

OR

Apply your successfully completed courses toward the New Horticulture Certificate or Horticulture Diploma launching Fall 2019 

If you have successfully completed one to four Sustainable Landscapes Certificate courses as of September 1, 2019, you can apply those courses towards the new Horticulture Certificate and Horticulture Diploma.

The new Horticulture Certificate will require you to complete three foundational courses, and two electives from an area of focus or general interest. If you complete an area of focus, it will be indicated on your parchment.

Table 2 will help you to identify and register in the courses you need to complete the transition to the new Horticulture Certificate. The first column indicates the current required course and the second column indicates the new required course pathway. If you have not completed the required course indicated in the first column, look for the replacement or alternate course in the second column.

Table 2: Transition Pathway to from the Sustainable Landscape Certificate to the new Horticulture Certificate
Sustainable Landscapes Certificate Required Courses NEW Horticulture Certificate    
If you have successfully completed the following course... ...you will be given advanced standing (or credit) for the following course: New Student Pathway  Type of Course and Area of Focus 
Introduction to Plant Identification Plant Identification  Complete either Introduction to Plant Identification or Plant Identification. Required foundational course in the Horticulture Certificate.
  Soils and Plant Growth  You must complete this course. Required foundational course in the Horticulture Certificate.
  Integrated Pest Management  You must complete this course. Required foundational course in the Horticulture Certificate.

Choose two electives

You can choose to complete an area of focus or two general electives.

Arboriculture Arboriculture Arboriculture Area of Focus: Natural Landscape Management
The Naturalized Landscape  Naturalizing and Restoring Landscapes Complete either The Naturalized Landscape or Naturalizing and Restoring Landscapes. Area of Focus: Natural Landscape Management
An Introduction to Woodland Ecology   If you have completed this course, you may use it as a general elective. No area of focus
Alternative Land Use Practices for Sustainable Landscapes   If you have completed this course, you may use it as a general elective. No area of focus

OR

Apply your successfully completed courses toward the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate 

If you have successfully completed one to four Sustainable Landscapes Certificate courses as of September 1, 2019, you can apply those courses towards the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate.

Table 3 will help you to identify and register in the courses you need to complete the transition to the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate. The first column indicates the current required courses and the second column indicates the new required course pathway. If you have not completed the required course indicated in the first column, look for the replacement or alternate course in the second column.

Table 3: Transition from the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate to the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate

Sustainable Landscapes Certificate Required Courses

Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate
If you have successfully completed the following course... ...you will be given advanced standing (or credit) for the following course: New Student Pathway  Type of Course and Area of Focus 

The Naturalized Landscape 

Naturalizing and Restoring Landscapes

Complete either The Naturalized Landscape or Naturalizing and Restoring Landscapes.

Required course in the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate

An Introduction to Woodland Ecology

Fundamentals of the Role of Plants in Urban Sustainability 

 

Complete either An Introduction to Woodland Ecology or Fundamentals of the Role of Plants in Urban Sustainability.

Required course in the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate

Alternative Land Use Practices for Sustainable Landscapes

Theory and Principles of Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Horticulture

Complete either Alternative Land Use Practices for Sustainable Landscapes or Theory and Principles of Sustainable Urban Agriculture and Horticulture.

Required course in the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate

 

Business Management in Horticulture

You are required to complete this course.

Required course in the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate

Choose one elective

Choose one elective from these three courses.

Introduction to Plant Identification

Plant Identification 

If you have completed Introduction to Plant Identification or Plant Identification, use it as the required elective.

Elective course

 

Ecology of Gardens and Landscapes in an Urban Environment

You may select this course as an elective.

Elective course

Arboriculture

Arboriculture

If you have completed this course, you may use it as the required elective.

Elective course

 

If you have not successfully completed one required course within the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate prior to September 1, 2019, you will not be able to initiate studies towards the Sustainable Landscapes Certificate. The alternative is to begin your studies in the Sustainable Urban Horticulture Certificate program, beginning September 1, 2019.

Important Dates

  • Transition Period Start Date: September 1, 2019
  • Sustainable Landscapes Certificate Application Deadline: December 31, 2021